Hello and welcome to my new blog

Painting at Ashaig on the Isle of Skye

Hello and welcome to my new blog.

I'm excited to share with you, some insights into my arty life, from painting outside to news of exhibitions and general things that inspire me from day to day. I can imagine my posts maybe sporadic, but hopefully you'll enjoy them when they appear.

If you haven't visited my website before, hello, I'm Helen and I have been working as a full time artist, in the Highlands of Scotland since 1988.

I have a studio attached to my house in the small hamlet of Ratagan, about 16 miles from the Bridge to the Isle of Skye.

Every day I feel so lucky, to be living in such a stunningly beautiful place, with inspiration on my doorstep.

Looking from my studio window are the Five Sisters of Kintail, a range of five distinct mountain peaks, including three Munros. Their flanks change constantly, throughout the seasons. At the moment they are bruised with the purples of the heather in full bloom. They will turn to golds and rusts in Autumn, be snow covered in the winter and be under a carpet of green velvet during the summer months. I have painted them many times from the shores of Loch Duich, the tidal loch at their feet.

The weather adds drama and atmosphere, casting deep shadows or shrouding them in mist. They are a constant source of inspiration to me, their distinct outline now firmly ingrained in my mind.

"Snowmelt Song" Five Sisters of Kintail

At the moment I am painting for several exhibitions, which I shall share with you shortly.

I am also very excited to be going on an Artists Residency to Eilean Sionnach lighthouse cottage, on the Isle of Ornsay. I will be taken by boat to the island and spend the week painting the natural rhythm and nature of the sea surrounding me. Can't wait to share this experience with you.

So till next time ...

Helen